posted 11-10-2003 08:44 AM         

I often find it strange that people bash mixed breed dogs and say they are unhealthy. It was always my understanding that mixed breeds are more healthy than their purebred counterparts because genetic tendencies for certain diseases and defects are not bred into them.

I think the final word is that responsible breeding - whether purebred or mixed - determines the health of the resulting dogs. If you breed two HEALTHY parents, choosing your stock from dogs that aren't plagued by hip dysplasia or retina problems or what have you, then the pups are more likely to be healthy. Whether or not the parents are purebred dogs of the same breed is irrelevant.

This statement in particular caught my eye:

“The biggest concern is when the physical problem is a direct result of selection, wanting to create a particular physical confirmation, as in the bulldog and Pekingese. When our own aesthetic sensibilities are directly causing the problem, that is pretty reprehensible. And I can’t countenance chopping off bits of animals for no reason.”

posted 11-10-2003 11:27 AM         

God forbid they have HEALTHY dalmatians.

This is my other favorite quote:

“In an ideal world, we’d forget about appearance, and we would focus on behavior and temperament. We would begin to breed dogs that are adapted to living with people as we live now – animals that would be happy in the kind of conditions we currently keep them in: urban environments, small enclosed spaces.”

While I like the appearance of some dogs as much as anyone else, I don't think it is worth sacrificng their health and temperament for.

I'll admit I also like tiny little chihuahua's, but it's so bad for the poor dogs and they have such horrible health problems.

Meanwhile, there are tons of homeless dogs in shelters and people are busy breeding more. One shelter here is packed full because of a raid where a ton of abused basenji's were rescued. Unfortunately, it is a kill shelter and the rest of their dogs are not being given much time at all to find homes. Petfinder's blurb says that some dogs only have ONE DAY to be adopted.

I have called local rescue people about a few of the dogs. I have not heard back from the aussie people yet - there is a sweet, beautiful little pup there.

posted 11-10-2003 12:47 PM         

Here is another example of what I wrote about earlier, merle to merle breeding, look at his eyes and read what is written about his vision below. Note how much white the dog has on him. http://www.deafdogs.org/adoption/profiles/charlie.html
Haddie has also been on this site for a very long time. Look at her eyes. http://www.deafdogs.org/adoption/profiles/haddie.html
It says nothing in her profile about her eyes.

posted 11-10-2003 12:58 PM         

I had heard about the merle x merle thing. It's also dangerous because a dog can be carrying the merle gene without showing it - you have to be VERY careful with bloodlines when breeding these dogs.

posted 11-10-2003 06:50 PM         

**I don't think its "bashing" as much as knowing that statement is only a half truth. Many mixed breed dogs are healthy but often they are UNhealthy too because people breeding them have not tested certified and cleared the parents of genetic diseases and conditions. So they unknowingly are carrying on further problems that may or may not come out in that generation. Every breed has genetic problems but with mixed breeding you have to factor in the potential health problems that 2 or more breeds face instead of just the one breed. Yet *some* mixes are healthy because of their outcrossed gene pool or because of the luck of the draw (same with purebreds)! With rescue I've seen and had to assist many mixes with health issues, and the same goes for purebred dogs. Do we REALLY know the stats?? Do we really know how many mixes and purebred dogs are put down every year because of health issues? It is impossible to say mixed breeds are healthier or purebreds are healthier because there are many contributing factors to good health. Factor in the type of breeder - IRRESPONSIBLE VS. RESPONSIBLE - Breeder X might be breeding albino Dobermans but thinks he is doing a good thing because they are at least "pure-bred" - right? WRONG. Educated vs. Uneducated

"I think the final word is that responsible breeding - whether purebred or mixed - determines the health of the resulting dogs. If you breed two HEALTHY parents, choosing your stock from dogs that aren't plagued by hip dysplasia or retina problems or what have you, then the pups are more likely to be healthy. Whether or not the parents are purebred dogs of the same breed is irrelevant."

**Healthy parents --- Exactly, but even beyond that; healthy pedigree (including grand parents gr. grand parents etc!!! But the sad fact remains its hard enough getting some purebred breeders to do appropriate health testing, never mind those who just want to put any two dogs together. That's what makes it relevant. I see very few mix breed breeders following a strict selection process with regards to health and compatibility in structure, size etc. Basically if someone wants to buy a dog from a "breeder" what ever the breed or mix - if you truly want to know if that breeder is responsible ASK if they certify their dogs free of genetic diseases, and breed dogs free of congenital and genetic problems - that says a lot right there!!!!! Then there are a mound of other issues to contend with, temperament, type, structure, history, suitability, etc etc...

"This statement in particular caught my eye:

The biggest concern is when the physical problem is a direct result of selection, wanting to create a particular physical confirmation, as in the bulldog and Pekingese. When our own aesthetic sensibilities are directly causing the problem, that is pretty reprehensible. And I can t countenance chopping off bits of animals for no reason."

**True that sometimes selective breeding is taken too far within the purebred fancy. But this is no different that those wanting to create new breeds for aesthetic appearance with "Spot's" personality.

Truly responsible breeders seldom breed and always maintain the goal of selective, healthy breeding, with a goal in mind and they do more for the breed with involvement in raising, training, Clubs, Rescue & performance, and are there for their puppy families for life BUT these breeders are a rare breed themselves!!!!

posted 11-11-2003 06:13 AM         

"Truly responsible breeders seldom breed..."

Exactly! There are way too many homeless animals as it is. I really can't justify bringing any more into the world.